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Hi Chaps,

So... had a chat with a slightly scary chap from the local constabulary, and he is happy to approve my first FAC. So now just to await the actual thing to arrive in the post... Meanwhile, Ive started drooling over my first acquisitions...

I had a fairly moderate first request, which was all approved:

2 x .22
1 x 7.62

1200 .22
200 7.62

Moderators for all the above (was going to ask anyhow, but he offered before I had a chance to!)

I know what I want .22 wise, but am a little unsure what to go for 7.62 wise. Given the stuff that is available currently here:
http://tinyurl.com/p5prdkn

and assuming that all are in my price range, which would you go for as a first TR 7.62? Id like to have the option of at some point putting a scope on, but initially its all going to be aperture sights at 600M.

The swing. £400.

How did 'the chat' go? I've got mine sometime soon, so interested to know what to expect!

You really need to make sure of the barrel condition/round count of any target rifle.

Unless you are investing in an action and expect to re-barrel at some point depending on barrel condition at time of purchase

Buying blind of the internet is not a good idea.

dromia wrote:You really need to make sure of the barrel condition/round count of any target rifle.

Unless you are investing in an action and expect to re-barrel at some point depending on barrel condition at time of purchase

Buying blind of the internet is not a good idea.

dromia is absolutely correct. Many years ago (before the Internet) I bought a target rifle mail-order. It looked really good - heavy target barrel and Fajen stock. Unfortunately the stock had a hairline crack that only became apparent under recoil, and the barrel - which looked pristine - was slightly oversize so that standard .308 diameter projectiles just wouldn't shoot accurately, no matter what load I tried. I eventually gave up, replaced the barrel with a Remington No 7, added a synthetic Bell & Carlson stock and turned it into a nice light hunting rifle. The only thing I saved was the Sako L579 action. Bit of an expensive lesson.

Hammerstein wrote:I had a fairly moderate first request, which was all approved:

Moderators for all the above (was going to ask anyhow, but he offered before I had a chance to!)

Congratulations on getting your FAC!

What are you going to use your rifles for? Cheshire seems to be 'anti-moderator' unless you are using the rifles for hunting/vermin control. They don't usually grant moderators for target shooting, so your FEO sounds like a gem!

StangGT wrote:How did 'the chat' go? I've got mine sometime soon, so interested to know what to expect!

PM sent

The chat was pretty informal.. TBH, I think most of that was down to the fact that my club is very careful regarding memberships.. we have a 6 month probation period, and the club secretary is well regarded within the shooting community, having been involved for about the last three hundred years as far as I can tell!

It helps that Im in London, and the Met seem to be very pragmatic for some reason.. maybe because they have more armed officers? No idea, but the consensus seems to be that they are relatively easy to deal with.

Chat consisted of the usual stuff, checking cabinet, general house security, checking documentation etc. Was all very painless. Maybe Met FEO's are just very good at spotting the nutter in peoples eyes.. dunno!

Noted regarding number of rounds etc etc. With smallbore, it just doesnt seem to be something people worry about, and there are rifles at the club that are 40 odd years old and still stunningly accurate.

So... leading on from that, what would be a good 7.62 bought from new to start off with?...

Les wrote:

Hammerstein wrote:I had a fairly moderate first request, which was all approved:

Moderators for all the above (was going to ask anyhow, but he offered before I had a chance to!)

Congratulations on getting your FAC!

What are you going to use your rifles for? Cheshire seems to be 'anti-moderator' unless you are using the rifles for hunting/vermin control. They don't usually grant moderators for target shooting, so your FEO sounds like a gem!

He was really nice about everything. He was obviously a shooter himself, which helps I think!

Yep - the Met has some great FEO's in my opinion and personal experience. I know a few of them are very keen shooters. I'm sure i can even guess which FEO you got.

Good luck with your first purchase! Always exciting times.